Phishing Attacks: 8 Signs Every Employee Should Recognize
A one-page phishing awareness guide you can share with your whole team — with real 2026 examples.
Phishing has gotten really good
AI-written phishing emails are now grammatically perfect, personalized, and mimic real vendors. Your team needs pattern recognition, not just "look for typos."
The 8 red flags
- Unexpected urgency — "Your invoice is overdue, pay in 24 hours."
- Sender name ≠ sender address — always expand the "From" field.
- Login links — hover before clicking; look for lookalike domains (micros0ft.com).
- Attachments you didn't ask for — especially .zip, .html, .iso, .pdf with a button inside.
- Requests to switch channels — "Text me back, I'm in a meeting."
- Payroll / banking changes — always verify by phone using a known number.
- QR codes in email — a rising 2025–2026 tactic to bypass link scanning.
- Impersonation of your CEO/CFO — check the actual email address, not the display name.
What to do if you clicked
- Disconnect from Wi-Fi immediately
- Change your password from a different device
- Call IT or your MSP right away
- Do NOT delete the email — IT needs it for forensics
Run quarterly phishing simulations
The Network Guy 209 runs KnowBe4 and Hoxhunt phishing simulations for California businesses. You'll see click rates drop 60–80% in the first year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is quishing?
Phishing that uses QR codes to send victims to a malicious site. It bypasses many email security tools because the URL is embedded in an image.
How do we reduce click rates?
Quarterly phishing simulations plus 5-minute micro-training after each failed test. Most SMBs cut their click rate from 25–30% to under 5% within a year.
Need reliable IT support for your business?
The Network Guy 209 provides Managed IT Services, Cybersecurity, Cloud Solutions, Microsoft 365, Network Installation, Server Management, Data Backup, Disaster Recovery, and Website Development for businesses throughout Manteca, Stockton, Tracy, Lathrop, Ripon, Modesto, Lodi, Sacramento, the Bay Area, and across California.
Managed IT & cybersecurity experts serving Manteca, Stockton, Modesto, Tracy and the Central Valley.
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Monthly tips on cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, and small-business IT — written for Central Valley owners.